If you install WhatsApp without any prior backups from Google Drive, WhatsApp will automatically restore from your local backup file.

Restore from a local backup

If you want to use a local backup, you'll need to transfer the files to the new phone using a computer, file explorer or SD Card.

Note:

Your phone will store up to the last seven days worth of local backup files.

Local backups will be automatically created every day at 2:00 AM and saved as a file in your phone.

If your data isn't stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/ folder, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" folders.

Restore a less recent local backup

If you want to restore a local backup that isn't the most recent one, you'll need to do the following:

Download a file manager app.

In the file manager app, navigate to sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. If your data isn't stored on the SD card, you might see "internal storage" or "main storage" instead of sdcard.

Rename the backup file you want to restore from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12. It's possible that an earlier backup might be on an earlier protocol, such as crypt9 or crypt10. Don't change the number of the crypt extension.